---
title: "Best Practices in Iterative Game Design - Live Session"
content_type: tutorial
url: "https://learn.unity.com/tutorial/best-practices-in-iterative-game-design-live-session?language=en"
language: en
difficulty: beginner
unity_version:
  - "2022.3"
supported_unity_versions:
  - name: "2022.3"
    url: "https://learn.unity.com/tutorial/best-practices-in-iterative-game-design-live-session.md?language=en&version=2022.3"
last_updated: "2026-08-04T14:23:36.000Z"
---

# Best Practices in Iterative Game Design - Live Session

Examine key stages of indie game design and learn how data-driven practices strengthen structure, prototyping, and testing.

This session begins with the overarching themes of loops and time that frame our discussion. We shine a light on the multifaceted role of an indie game designer and their many hats. The heart of our talk focuses on the crucial stages of the design process: Structure, Ideation, Prototyping, Communicating, and Testing. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, you'll walk away with practical tips and strategies to enhance your game development journey.

This session is aimed at:

- Game Designers seeking to enhance their skills through data-driven insights.
- Developers interested in incorporating analytics into their game design process.
- Project Managers aiming to improve project outcomes with data-backed strategies.
- Game Studio Executives looking to increase the market competitiveness of their games.

## Watch the session

[Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20241118/videos/4db67744-2e7d-41eb-ae8a-936bb7850ef1_GMT20240927-155959_Recording_2400x1350.mp4)

## Download the .pdf to see a list of useful links mentioned in the video.

GDD:

[https://gamedesignskills.com/game-design/document/](https://gamedesignskills.com/game-design/document/)

[https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/a-gdd-template-for-the-indie-developer](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/a-gdd-template-for-the-indie-developer)

[https://github.com/Roobyx/awesome-game-design?tab=readme-ov-file#finished-games-gdds](https://github.com/Roobyx/awesome-game-design?tab=readme-ov-file#finished-games-gdds)

Playtesting:

[Making Your Games Better with Psychology and Playtesting, the Uncharted Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW7T9s1nYiU)

[Playtesting: Avoiding Evil Data](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EUeYu0aPn4)

[Darkest Dungeon: A Design Postmortem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IUaGQhlPwo)

Case studies:

[https://www.facebook.com/fbgaminghome/developers/success-stories?filter=257516644874707](https://www.facebook.com/fbgaminghome/developers/success-stories?filter=257516644874707)

[https://unity.com/resources](https://unity.com/resources)

[https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/](https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/)

Books:

[https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design](https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design)

[https://tynansylvester.com/book/](https://tynansylvester.com/book/)

[https://bossfightbooks.com/](https://bossfightbooks.com/)

Time (gameplay):

[It's About Time: System Design for Mobile Free-to-Play](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSyt0alpoyg)

[The Design of Time: Understanding Human Attention and Economies of Engagement ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIrfxZ4KbOA)

Time (development):

[Time IS on Your Side: Personal Time Management Strategies for Crunch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRrcH3BuKfE)

[No Time, No Budget, No Problem: Finishing The First Tree](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5f7yixtQPc)

DevOps:

[https://itrevolution.com/articles/the-three-ways-principles-underpinning-devops/](https://itrevolution.com/articles/the-three-ways-principles-underpinning-devops/)

[Stress-Free Game Development: Powering Up Your Studio With DevOps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9HRzE7_2Xc)

Design Best Practices:

[Best Practices for fast game design in Unity - Unite LA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU29QKag8a0)

[https://mobilefreetoplay.com/bible/crafting-strong-core-loop/](https://mobilefreetoplay.com/bible/crafting-strong-core-loop/)

[Splatoon and Splatoon 2: How to Invent a Stylish Franchise with Global Appeal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VwTVIEge1g)